20 January 2011

super easy continuous prairie points {a tutorial}

I had always wanted to try prairie points, but the thought of making and lining up all those little points and getting them sewn down perfectly seemed daunting.

But once I saw this technique, I had to try it, and now I'm totally addicted and want to share it with you all.

So if you've ever been drawn to prairie points but didn't have the energy to try, here's a tutorial that will encourage you!

Super easy, continuous prairie points:

What you will need:

6"X Width of fabric strips (as many as you need to go around your project)

2" wide ruler

rotary cutter

fabric glue

iron and ironing board

spray starch

Directions:

1. Using one of the 6”X wof prairie point fabric strips, fold it in half longways and press.2. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut a straight line from the edge of the fabric just to the center fold line every 1.5”, alternating cuts from the top edge of the fabric to the lower edge.

I used a two inch wide ruler to do this, lining the previous cut edge up with the 1.5” mark on the clear ruler to make even cuts. (see photo)

3. Cut off the first 1.5” flap of fabric at the fold line

4. Cut off the last two flaps of fabric at the opposite end.

5. Fold each square in half to form triangles, making sure to fold each one in the same direction and press as you go.

6. Place a dot of fabric glue on the outside tip of each triangle and fold the triangles in half, bringing the raw edges even with the center of the fabric strip. Press as you go.

7. Fold the top triangles over on top of the lower triangles, pressing and using spray starch as you go.

8. Baste stitch 1/8” from the straight edge, and you're done!

Now just make as many strips of these as you need to go around your project, and you have instant, super easy prairie points!

And if you were to sew two strips of 3.25'' width together of different patterns/color, you would have alternating print/color prairie points :) I love this technique :) I've seen it done with 2 jelly rolls strips for baby quilts too :)

Hi Mama Spark,
Not obtuse at all. You don't need to sew the strips together. On your project, you will pin them in place and sew them down. You just place them so the end of one strip is right next to the beginning of the next.
Penny

Wow thank you thank you thank you, I was admiring my good friends blanket from when she was a baby that had this border and I wanted to recreate it for my daughter's quilt but I had no idea where to start. This is so wonderful thanks!

Hi Donna,
Absolutely not! Ok, I basted them on (pointing in) about 1/8" from the edge before sandwiching them and turning them in the project. Remember, you'll be TURNING whatever project you put these on! Good luck!